A travel adventure in Bath, England is an ideal way to spend a few days while visiting the UK. Bath is the largest city in the county of Somerset and is situated in the valley of the River Avon. The Great Western Railway service from London to Bath takes less than 2 hours, which leaves passengers just enough time to unwind while enjoying views of the rolling hills and English countryside.
Choose Your Own Travel Adventure in Bath, England
From the Roman Baths to the Jane Austen Centre, choose your own travel adventure in Bath, England. Pick between the following categories to enjoy a charming weekend getaway in the UK.
- Spa – Historic or Modern?
- Snack Time – Pasties or Afternoon Tea?
- Culture – Architecture or Literature?
- Happy Hour – Microbrewery or Beer House?
1st Choice: Roman Baths or Thermal Bath Spa?
Roman Baths
Courtesy of the Roman Baths in Bath, England
Just a 10-minute walk from the train station, the Roman Baths provide visitors with an awe-inspiring look at remains preserved from Roman Britain. An entrance fee provides access to original ancient Roman streets and ruins of the Temple of Sulis Minerva. Explore how ancient Romans lived and interacted with the local natural springs. Don’t miss the gilt bronze head of the goddess Sulis Minerva, one of the best-known objects of that time period. According to the Roman Baths Exhibition, the statue may well be an original object from the foundation of the site dating back to the later first century AD. The head is said to be from the cult statue of the goddess which would have stood within her Temple beside the Sacred Spring. From there she may have looked out across the Temple courtyard to the site of the great altar, the site of sacrifice, which stood at the heart of that sacred space. Visitors can learn about this artifact and more while touring the exhibition with the help of a handheld audio guide included in the cost of admission.
Thermae Bath Spa
Courtesy of Thermae Bath Spa
Bath is well-known for its long-standing association with health and wellness due to the purported healing powers of its natural thermal springs. According to local legend, the source of Bath’s mineral-rich water remains a mystery. However, research suggests that the rainwater enters the carboniferous limestone in the Avon Valley. Bathing in the natural springs has been an important part of Bath’s history and local culture since they were discovered in 863 BC. This mystical water has been used for bathing by the Celts, Romans, Saxons and Georgians.
Located in the heart of the city, Thermae Bath Spa offers visitors a modern spa experience with an open-air rooftop pool, indoor pool, saunas, steam rooms and spa treatments. According to Thermae, the waters contain over 42 different minerals, including sulphate, calcium and chloride. All baths contain natural thermal waters and are kept at the optimum bathing temperature of 33.5 degrees C (92 degrees F). The spa provides visitors with robes and flip-flops for optimal comfort.
2nd Choice: Pasties or Afternoon Tea?
Pasties from the Cornish Bakery
Photo by the Cornish Bakery
The southwest region of England is known for its delicious handheld savory pies called pasties. This portable lunch is perfect for travelers on the go. A traditional Cornish pasty includes diced beef, potatoes, turnips and onions. This mixture creates the filling of a half-moon pie crust pocket. Cornish pasties became common in the 19th century when tin mining was booming and workers wanted hardy self-contained meals. Today, the pasty business is alive and well, and Bath has an abundance of shops claiming to have the ‘world’s best.’ For a tasty snack in Bath, check out the Cornish Bakery, a regional bakery chain with a location near Bath Abbey.
Afternoon Tea at the Pump Room
Courtesy of the Pump Room
The Pump Room is an elegant treat for visitors looking to have a memorable dining experience during their stay in Bath. Located next to the Roman Baths, the restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. According to the Pump Room, the original property was completed in 1705 and then upgraded in 1790. Now, the restaurant uses the natural springs to heat the building and neighboring Roman Baths during the winter months. While there, ask for a taste of the hot spa water at the fountain. Be sure to book your reservations in advance, since availability can be limited during the peak season.
3rd Choice: Architecture or Literature?
Museum of Bath Architecture
Photo by C. McCain
Architecture walks in Bath can be a great way to see the local sites. The city was transformed in the early 1700s when Bath-based architects were commissioned by city leaders to make improvements. A number of crescents, or curved sections of Georgian-style townhomes, were built throughout the city, including the world’s first crescent, Royal, built between 1767 and 1775 by John Wood the Younger. This picturesque spot has been used as a location for Hollywood films, such as Persuasion and The Duchess. Other well-known crescents include Camden, Norfolk, Lansdown, Cavendish, Widcombe and Somerset Place. Don’t miss Circus, a crescent designed by John Wood the Elder, which consists of curved townhomes said to be based on the dimensions of Stonehenge. Learn more by visiting the Museum of Bath Architecture, which includes a 1:500 scale model of Bath from a bird’s-eye view.
The Jane Austen Centre
Photo by C. McCain
“I really believe I shall always be talking of Bath, when I am home again – I do like it so very much.” – Jane Austen (1775-1817)
A visit to Bath can feel like entering one of Jane Austen’s classic novels, appropriately so, since the beloved author called this city home from 1801 to 1806. During that time, Bath was considered to be the most famous resort town in all of England. Austen’s Northanger Abbey and Persuasion were published posthumously in 1818, and both novels were set mainly in Bath and reflect the author’s lifestyle as a resident.
The Jane Austen Centre offers visitors the chance to explore the life of Jane Austen and her time in Bath, as well as the city’s cultural influences detected in her books, characters and personal life. The centre is located at No. 40 Gay Street, a place similar to the house a couple of doors down where Austen lived for a few months following her father’s death in 1805. Enthusiastic exhibition guides welcome visitors in traditional Regency outfits. Visit the centre to learn more about the famous author who never saw her name published.
4th Choice: Graze Microbrewery or Bath Brew House?
Graze Restaurant and Microbrewery
Courtesy of Visit Bath
A travel adventure in Bath would not be complete without sampling the local beer. Located near the Bath Spa train station, Graze Restaurant and Microbrewery offers refreshing beer and gastropub cuisine. Order a pint of Sulis, an English lager named after the city’s thermal springs, from the spacious upstairs bar. Weather permitting, enjoy the outdoor patio with views of Bath’s 19th-century railway station originally designed by the acclaimed English engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806–1859).
Bath Brew House
Complete with its very own microbrewery, the Bath Brew House is located on James St. West in the heart of Bath’s city centre. This lively watering hole features brewery tours, pub food, televised sports, live music, pub quiz, beer garden, ping pong and more. In addition to the craft beer, don’t miss the chance to try their BBQ ribs or fish and chips.
If you enjoyed Choose Your Own Travel Adventure in Bath, England, check out other articles about traveling in Europe.
